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A pretty holiday, rural cottage in the heart of the garden of England-Kent

Tonbridge, Kent, UK

Cottage1 sq. ft.

Bedrooms1

People4

Bathrooms1

Separate WCs0

Min. Stay1 - 4 nights

A modern self contained holiday let in rural setting with 4* rating.

A self contained annex that's located in the grounds behind the owners family house, its peaceful and provides privacy, beautiful country views and has the use of its own small fenced gravelled courtyard with seating and BBQ.

Surrounded by farmland and yet only 800 meters from the local Pub, and 2 miles to the nearest Village of Staplehurst or Headcorn. Plenty of countryside to walk and a great location to cycle.

The annexe has Wifi and two Tv's with free sat and DVD. The open plan loft room upstairs has space to sleep up to 4 people together in open plan. Plenty of cupboards and draws for clothes storage, TV, PS3 & 1 controller, small sofa, dressing table with hair dryer, bookcase (with books, DVDs and CD's). The kitchen is fully equipped with crockery, pans cutlery, fridge and small freezer, microwave, kettle and toaster. The lounge has dining table and 4 chairs, leather sofa, Rocking Chair, coffee tables, wall mounted TV/DVD player with free sat. Board games and books for guests to enjoy.

The Annex is in a Rural location about 2 miles from the nearest village of Staplehurst and the village of Headcorn. Hawkenbury itself has a lovely country pub, just a 3minute walk, that serves fantastic food for lunch and dinner and has a large beer garden in the summer. A car in my opinion is essential to enable you to see all the beautiful countryside.

Extras:

A travel cot & High Chair are available on request. Please request when booking.

Pets considered on request and there is a charge if accepted. Please notify owner if you intend bringing pets.

Change over days are flexible but you must check this with the owner. Months of July and August will be week only bookings, change over days Friday/Saturday.

A welcome pack is included with 7 night bookings. Bookings less than 7 nights will receive basic pack.

Owner

Katherine Hughes

Member Since 2011

Speaks

english

Calendar last updated:

1 Nov 2018

About Katherine Hughes

I am a part time teacher in a primary school, a wife and a mother of two grown up boys 16 & 18. I enjoy managing our holiday let and help travellers enjoy all the places to visit in Kent. We have so many places that our foreign visitors are desperate to visit such as Leeds Castle, Canterbury, London, Tunbridge Wells, Rye all within an hour from us. We have made many friends while running the holiday let and enjoy being able to share what we enjoy about living in Kent with all of our visitors.

Katherine Hughes purchased this Cottage in 2001

Why Katherine Hughes chose Tonbridge

Set in a beautiful location in the heart of the Garden of England. California Annex is set behind my family home . Hawkenbury is a lovely quiet Hamlet village that is in the middle of the Kent countryside. There are two lovely villages with mainline train stations to London only 2 miles away.
We are close to London (55 minutes by train) Royal Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Bluewater shopping centre, Howlets Zoo, Leeds,& Hever Castles, Many National trust properties, Scotney castle, Sissinghurst gardens and for sightseeing this area is perfect. Many people come here to explore the garden of England and we now have an electric bike hire centre less than half a mile away so that you can hire bikes and visit the local villages. Local Vineyard and tours are available from Biddenden or Chapel down where you can sample their wines and ciders. Kent is very popular for road cyclists especially ones who are advanced that would enjoy cycling to Tunbridge wells through the country lanes and then on to the Ashdown forest for sunning rides and views.
The Annex is very private but still close enough to not feel completely cut off. In the evenings you can enjoy the peace of the countryside, from June onwards the calfs and cows actually put their head over the annex hedge to say hello . Hawkenbury has a lovely pub only 4 minutes walk where you can meet the locals and enjoy a traditional lunch and dinner and in the summer months they have a pub garden. Both villages of Staplehurst and Headcorn have lovely country pubs, The Kings Head -In Staplehurst and The George and Dragon in Headcorn, chemist, small supermarkets, Indian takeaway/restaurant, Chinese restaurants, Butchers, off-licence, Bakers and the other convenience shops. There are a number of great restaurants within a 5 mile radius enabling you to eat from pub food to Michelin Star every night. There are plenty of days out for the children from Zoos, Castles, Play centres, Ice Skating, Cinemas.

What makes this Cottage unique

Private, Self contained, peaceful, pretty and modern.
Rated 4* by Visit England. This annex is not let to anyone I am very careful to only let it to people I know will look after it enabling every stay to be as pleasant as the next. We have equipped the annexe with home comforts such as free sat, Ps3 for the children, Board Games, books and DVD's to make your stay when your in the annexe comfortable. The fields in front and behind the Annexe are owned by our friendly farmer neighbour and he is happy for you to walk round the fields in the summer months.
Being behind our family home provides the travellers with piece in the middle of the Kent countryside but the reassurance if they need anything we are only next door to help with information on the local area.
Within walking distance from the local pub that provides lovely food and being surrounded by Kentish pubs and restaurants (about 50 within a 10 mile radius) there is always somewhere to eat out if you don't fancy cooking.

Facilities

Internet

Pets Welcome

TV

Satellite or Cable

Children Welcome

Parking

Heater

Bedrooms

1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4

Bedroom 1

4 twin/ single

The loft room can accommodate 4 single beds maximum ,It is an open plan space, it has a built in wardrobe with hanging and shelf space. Two bedside tables, a dressing table with mirror, hair dryer and hair straighteners. There is a leather sofa and tv/games console upstairs. The beds will be fully made up with including pillows, duvet and fitted sheet. One hand and one shower towel will be provided for each occupant.
The Annex is able to accommodate up to 4 people but when its at full capacity it does mean all of the beds are in one large open plan loft room.
Dressing table with hairdryer and straighteners and mirror included. Games and Dvd's are for annexe use. If you finish a book please feel free to take one of ours and leave your old one behind. All Dvd's and games in the annexe are age defined, please ensure that you check what age rating your children are viewing. This is your responsibility.

Bathrooms

1 Bathroom

Bathroom 1

toilet, shower

Large bathroom with electric shower, toilet, basin, and heater. Bathroom cabinet with mirror. Laundry cupboard with washing machine, clothes airer, iron and ironing board. Towels will be kept in this cupboard.
There is a pull cord that switches the shower on. If you have issues with the shower please make sure that this is in the ON position.

Location Type

Rural

Village

Meals

Guests provide their own meals

General

Hair Dryer

Heating

Annex has many electric heaters that are operated via switch so renters can use them when needed.

Washing Machine

Included in the bathroom cupboard.

Parking

Internet

Towels Provided

One hand and one shower towel is provided per guest.

Wireless Internet

Iron & Board

Linens Provided

All bedding provided for a weekly stay.

Local Activities Guide

Local Maps

Local Restaurant Guide

Basic Soaps

Toilet Paper

Parking Off Street

Elevator

Living Room

3 seater leather sofa and rocking chair with dining table with 4 chairs in the living room and there is a small 2 seater leather sofa up in the loft room to create another small tv area in the bedroom

Kitchen with cutlery and crockery for 4 People. Pans and pots, everything you would need to use the kitchen effectively.

Dining

Dining Area

Child's Highchair

Dining

Lounge diner with table and 4 chairs. Place mats are in the kitchen cupboards

comfy seating for 4 people

Entertainment

Books

Lots of different books available for use while staying in the annex.

Television

Radio

Stereo

There is a small Radio/Cd player up in the loft room.

CD Player

DVD Player

Included in the TV

Satellite / Cable

Free view on both TV's

Books for Kids

Games

Board games, cards, general games

Games for Kids

Toys

Games/ cards, books

Video Library

A selection of adult and child dvd's.

Video Games

ps3 & 1 controller & Games - please note that games are 15+ age and it is down to your desecration who plays them.

Outside

Outdoor Grill

Deck / Patio

A small gravel courtyard with tables and chairs and amazing farmland views are to the side and rear of the annexe (see photos) The annexe is sutuated in the owners garden but has its own fenced area.

Suitability

suitable for elderly or infirm

wheelchair inaccessible

This cottage is surrounded by gravel and therefore makes it unsuitable for wheelchair access.

Notes

Outside the there is a small graveled courtyard that's fenced off giving it privacy. There is a table and 4 chairs and BBQ. Stunning sunset farm views.
The annex will be clean on arrival but if extra cleans are required during your stay this can be arranged at an extra charge. One set of bedding is provided but if you require more please request before your stay.
There is a selection of books, DVD's and games are in the annex for your entertainment.
We have a family cat that will be in and around our gardens.
There is a travel cot , small buggy. highchair, available on request.

House Rules

Check-in: 14:00

Check-out: 10:00

Cancellation Policy

100% refund for cancellations more than 60 days before check-in date. 50% refund for cancellations more than 30 days before check-in date.

26 Reviews

Exceptional5/5

1 - 6 of 26

Lovely little break from the city!

5/5

Stayed Mar 2018

Lydia H.

The California Annex is perfectly formed holiday getaway cottage, equipped with everything you need and surrounded by lots of quaint Kent villages. My Husband and I had a delightful time and would highly recommend.

Submitted 2 Apr 2018

Owner's Response:

Thank you for being great guests. Glad you enjoyed the tranquility of the country for afew days over the Easter weekend before returning to the city.

Neat & Tidy

5/5

Stayed Jul 2018

Bruce G.

Neat property, included everything we needed. Suited our family of 4.

Submitted 27 Jul 2018

Perfect!

5/5

Stayed Jul 2018

melanie b.

We had a perfect time at the annex. Everything we needed was there. Great location for trips around beautiful Kent, to Sussex and also perfect to take the train to London. Katherine and John are wonderful hosts as well. My kids and me hope to be back again.

Submitted 26 Jul 2018

Perfect rural getaway!

5/5

Stayed Jul 2017

Nicki T.

From the welcome basket to the cows in the adjacent farm...it was absolutely lovely!

Submitted 11 Jul 2017

Very nice stay in a beautiful region

5/5

Stayed Apr 2017

Sandra B.

The Annex is lovely arranged, with every comfort (kitchen, books, games, tips for visits around, etc...). Katherine and John are very nice hosts and Kent is a beautiful region. A very nice holidays for a family of four.

Submitted 23 Apr 2017

A very clean and comfortable property.

5/5

Stayed Oct 2016

Helena S.

See above

Submitted 1 Nov 2016

1 - 6 of 26

Location

Tonbridge, Kent, UK

Hawkenbury is a small hamlet between the villages of Staplehurst and Headcorn sitting 8 miles south of Maidstone, Kent. London and all of its attractions are 55 minutes by train and the stations of Staplehurst and Headcorn are only 2 miles from the cottage. Many castles within easy reach by car, Leeds Castle (10 min), Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens (15 min) and Scotney (30 min). There are several Zoos, Drusillas, Howletts and Port Lymne all within an hours drive. The seaside town of Hastings is a 45 min, Battle, Rye, Eastbourne, Camber Sands being only an hour away. Fantastic indoor shopping at Bluewater Shopping Center (45 min) and Lakeside (55 min), Royal Tunbridge Wells, (40 min) Canterbury, (50 min) Tenterden, (20 min) all lovely towns to visit. There are many family attractions accessible, The Hop Farm (25 min) Bewl Water (20min) The Rare Breeds Center (20 min) The Hop farm family fun (30mins) and several vineyards, Biddenden, Hush Heath (15 mins) There are two multiplex cinemas, bowling complexes & leisure centers in Maidstone & T.Wells. Annex is in a rural location so car is necessary.

Golf: There are several good courses in the near by area, Leeds castle, Chart Hills (15 mins) Headcorn golf club (2 miles) The Ridge Golf and country club (10 min).

Sports: A Ski and sports center and indoor ice rink is within a 30 minutes drive private lessons available. Swimming centre (Mote Park) has an olympic swimming pool and leisure pool which is open 7 days a week (20mins)

Lots of beaches within an hours drive, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hastings, Historic town of Rye, Lydd, Camber sands to name a few.

The cottage is surrounded by farmers fields ideal for a stroll in the evening while the sun is setting.

California Cottage is in the heart of the garden of england and is an ideal position to visit all of the tourist attractions and come back to the piece of the country side.

London is 55 minutes via train from either Staplehurst or Headcorn station and costs approximately £17 per adult after 10am on weekdays and cheaper at weekends. This train line runs directly into the heart of london (charing cross) and is ideal to spend days in the beautiful city of London without worrying about driving. You can purchase a group thicket if there are 3 or more persons. You can also buy a ticket including underground/bus at the station so that you don't have to worry about it when you get there as busses don't take cash.

Availability

Additional pricing information

Refundable damage deposit

£100

A deposit of £100 is required for all bookings. This is a booking/damage deposit. If you cancel the booking once paid deposit the £100 will be lost. This also acts as a damage deposit. After departure the annexe will be cleaned and an inventory will be checked for any damage/breakages. Please inform the owner if there are any damage/Breakage issues when you arrive and before you depart. There will be a charge of £40 for any pets per week. Bookings in July and August are only bookable for weeks no 3 day bookings and arrival and departure days are fridays. Check in is 2pm and check out at 10am.